Electric switch



June 20, 1933. w POTTER ET AL 1,915,239

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 27, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F60 W-POZZ? 17am? 6. Jaw/fed,

June 20, 1933. F. w. POTTER ET AL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 27, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet Frea W Potzei Fran/c 6 Stacked Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED srATss PATENT ot-Flea rmwmonmor man, aims-m1: c. s'rucm, or mar, more mic Application ma n, :7,

Our invention relates signal devices.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned charto improvements in acter, which is adapted to automatically produce a signal, visual or audible, upon the unauthorized opening of a closure element.

A further object of the invention is to rovide a device of the above-mentioned 0 arm acter, which is so constructed that when the signal is 'fproduced upon the unauthorized opening 0 the closure element, the operation of the signal will continue, if the closure element is again closed, until the device is actuated by separate means to render the same inoperative with respect to operating the sig- ,broken away, of a door, showing our signal device associated therewith,

llligure 1 is an inner side elevation of the loc Figure 2 is a pers ective view of the switch unit of the signal evice, c Figure 3 is a side elevation of the switch unit, the cover plate of the box being removed,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4--4 of Figure 3, Y Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3, and,

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4. r

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 10 designates a closure element, in the embodiment of a door, arranged in co-operative relation with a door frame 11, and connected therewith by hinges 12. Figure 1 shows the outer side of 1m. Serial at. 818,900.

the door. While the closure element is illustrated as in the form of a door, it ma be in the form of a window, cover or lid 0 a box, or any other suitable closure element. I

The switch unit embodies a box or case 13, whlc'h may be formed of metal, or the like, and which is mounted within a reoes or chamber 14, formed in the door frame 11. This case has a cover plate 15 provided with apertured ears 16, which may be attachedfto. the door frame 11 by screws 17, or the like. The cover plate 15 is detachably connected. with the case 13 by screws 15, or the like.

-The 'case 13 fits snugly within the'recess 14, and Wlll be held rigidly to the door frame by the plate 15. Mounted within the lower end of the case 13 is a pivoted cylinder 18, having trunnions 19 and 20, at its ends. The trunnion 20 is pivoted within an opening 21,- formed in the cover plate 15, while the trurlmon 19 is pivoted in an opening formed in the closed side 13' of the case 13. This trun- .nion 19 is slotted, as shown at 22, for receiving a coupling 23, which is rigidly connected with a rotary lock barrel 24, included in a lock 25. This lock may be of any well known or preferred type, and has the usual key-hole opening 26, for receiving the he whereby the lock barrel 24 may be turne provided the proper key is used, the lock barrel being otherwise held against turning movement. The coup g 23 projecting into the slot 22, provldes a osltive connection with. respect to rotation, ut also permits of the removal of the case 13 without disturbing the lock 85 barrel. The pivoted cylinder is provided near its center with a cam 27, preferably integral therewith.

Arranged within the case 13, and generally vertically disposed, is a lever or arm 28, pro-' vided with trunnions 29, formed integral therewith adjacent to its lower end. The trunnions 29 have reduced extensions 30, which are pivoted in openings formed in the closed side 13", and the cover plate 15, as shown. The trunnions 30 are arranged near and above the pivotedcylinder 18, as shown. The lever or arm .28 is rovided at its lower end. with a laterally 0 -set extension 31, arranged to be engaged by the cam 27. The 9 lever or arm 28 extends throu h a longitudinal slot 32, formed in the ank 33 of a plunger 34. The slot 32 has a forward end wall 35, while the slot preferably extends to the rear end of the shank. The rear end of the shank is slidably guided within a tubular boss 36, formed upon the side of the case 13, while the plunger 34 is slidable within a guide sleeve 37, as shown. A transverse pin 38 extends through openings formed 1n the shank 33, and is arranged inwardly or rear wardly of the lever 28. This in extends across the slot 35, and is dispose to contact with the lever 28 but has no connection therewith. The pin has connection with one end of a compressible coil spring 39, which surrounds the tubular boss 36. The plunger 34 projects a short distance beyond the tubular guide 37 and the edge of'the door frame, and is arranged to be engaged by a wear element 40, such as a screw, attached to the edge of the door. When the cam 27 is in the retracted position, as shown in Figure 3, the spring 39 will then be capable of shifting the plunger 34 forwardly, and the pm 38 will swing the lever 28 forwardly to the circuit closing position. However, should the lunger 34 be depressed, it cannot shift the ever 28 to the rear or circuit opening position, since the end wall 35 is spaced from the lever 28 for a greater distance than the rearward stroke of the plunger 34.

The numeral 41 designates a stationary contact which is mounted within the case near its top, and insulated therefrom. This contact is adapted to be enga ed by a contact 42, which is mounted upon t e upper endof the lever 28 and insulated therefrom. Insulation 43 is provided to prevent the contact 42 engaging the adjacent side of the case. The stationary contact 41 has electrical connection with a wire 44, which is connected with one side of a source of current 45, the opposite side of which is connected with a wire 46, which extends into the case 13, and is connected with the contact 42. A visual signal device 47, such as an electric lamp, is connected in the wire 44 while an audible signal device 48, suchas a bell, is connected in the wire 44. Either or both types of signals may be employed.

When it is desired to use or move the door or closure element, without operating the signal device, the lock barrel 24 is turned in a direction to bring the cam 27 into operative engagement with extension, 31, thereby swingin the extension 31 forwardly, Figure 3, and t e upper end of the lever 28 rearwardly, so that contact 42 breaks connection with contact 41. The key may be removed from the lock, and the cam 27 will then hold the lever 28 in the rear inactive position. The lever 28 will engage the pin 38, and the plunger 34 will be carried inwardly or depressed and held in this position. When the door 10 is opened, it is obvious that the signal device cannot function since the lever 28 is now held or locked in the rear inactive position. To set the device for operation, the lever 28 being in the rear ition, the door or closure element is first cosed, and the lock 39 rojects plun er-34forwardly and pin 38' the lever 28 and force it" wil en age wit forwar y, brin 'ng contacts 41 and 42 into engagement. T e electric circuit is, therefore, completed at the contacts 41 and 42, and the visual or audible signal elements 47 and 48 are thrown into action. Should the door closure elementbe again closed without manipulating the cam 27, the circuit would still remain closed at the contacts 41 and 42, for the inward movement of the plunger 34 will not swing the upper portion of the lever 28 rearwardly, as the end wall 35 of the slot 32 is spaced a greater distance from the lever 24 than the inward stroke of the plunger. The signal element will, therefore, continue to operate until the key is employed to turn the lock barrel for turning the cam 27 in the direction to shift the upper end of the lever 28 rearwardly to the inactive position, thereby breaking engagement between contacts 41 and 42.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts ma be resorted to without departing from t e spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A circuit closer for use in connection with a stationary member and a hinged closure member, comprising a support arranged upon the stationary member near the hinged extremity of the closure member, a lever pivoted to the support, a contact carried by the lever, a stationary contact arranged to be engaged and disengaged by the first-named contact, a plunger carried by the support and adapted when projected forwardly to engage with the hinged extremity of the closure member, said plunger having means af-- fording such a connection with the pivoted lever that when the plunger is projected forwardly, the contact carrying portion of the clever 1s swung toward the stationary contact so that the contact of (the lever engages the stationary contact and when the plunger is shifted rearwardly it is incapable of swinging the lever from the circuit closing position, and a spring connected with the plunger to automatically project the same 'forwardly and thereby causethe plunger upon this forward movement to shift the lever to the circuit closing position.

2. A circuit closer for use in connection with a stationary member and a swinging closure member, comprising a support arranged-upon the stationary member near the extremity upon which the member turns, a lever pivoted to the support, a contact carried by the lever, a stationary contact arranged to be engaged and disengaged by the first-named contact, a plunger carried by the support and adapted to engage with the turning extremity of the closure member, said plunger having means forafl'ording such a connection with the pivoted lever that when the plunger is projected forwardly the lever is shifted to the circuit closing position and. when the plunger is shifted rearwardly the circuit closing position, a spring'connected with the plunger to automatically project the same forwardly and thereby cause the plunger upon this forward movement to shift the lever to the circuit closing position, and separate means to shift the lever from the circuit .closin position.

3. A circuit closer, comprising a support,

a lever pivoted to the support, a contact carried by the lever, a stationary contact arranged to be engaged and disengaged by the first-named contact, a plunger carried by the it is incapable of swinging the lever'from tures.

FRED W. POTTER. FRANK C. STUCKEL.

support and having ashifting part to en- I gage with the lever and swing the same to the circuit closing osition upon the forward 40 projection of the p unger, said plunger being free from any shifting part which would engage the lever and swing the same from the circuit closing position upon the rearward with the plunger to automatically project the same forwardly and thereby cause the plunger 'upon this forward movement to shift the lever to the circuit closing position,

and separate means to shift the lever from the circuit closing position.

4. A circuit closer comprising a support, a lever pivoted to the support, a contact carried b the lever, a stationary contact anrange to be engaged and disengaged by the first-named contact, a plunger carried by the support and having an elongated slot receiving the lever, said plunger having a shifting part arranged to engage the lever and swing the same to the circuit closing position upon the forward movement of the plunger, said plunger being incapable of shifting the lever from the circuit closing position when the plunger is shifted rearwardly, a spring to project the plunger forwardlfy and thereby cause the plunger uponthis orward movemovement of the plunger, a spring connected 

